A vibrant new mural in Redding, “Bridges of Community,” is turning heads and inspiring minds. Local art teacher Lura Wilhelm won the commission to paint the mural for Shasta Community Health Center at 1035 Placer (corner of Placer and Continental). Impressive in size, it covers much of the east side of the building, along Continental Street.
Public art is typically on a scale that is larger-than-life. People respond innately to the “wow-factor” of being in the presence of oversized things. We can’t help but be awed by the towering redwood trees, for example. From a child’s point of view, murals may seem especially large.
Public art bridges communities
The images of “Bridges of Community” support Shasta Community Health Center’s commitment to building the community. In her artist’s statement, Wilhelm writes that she intended to express “the vital role of intergenerational care and the collective responsibility to uplift one another,” as depicted by the woman holding the two figures on her hand and the silhouette figures of a young person walking beside an elderly person using a walker.
Other details, in bold solid forms in blues and oranges, point to Redding’s uniqueness of place, with its views of Shasta and Lassen volcanoes and its native flora. Health-promoting activities supported by the health center’s educational focus include two figures on bicycles reaching toward one another. This tableau serves as “a reminder that it is through connection to each other and to this land that we build a thriving, supportive and compassionate Redding,” Wilhelm says.
Public murals improve quality of life, revitalize urban neighborhoods
Public art serves to beautify urban spaces—it’s often included in downtown revitalization projects—which can enhance the quality of life for the community. It conveys cultural values such as the message of connection, unity and support in “Bridges of Community” and it makes art accessible to all by reaching a much wider audience than just those 9% of adults who pay to frequent art museums.
North State murals exhibit variety of artistic styles
Trompe-l’œil, French for “deceive the eye,” is a painting technique that creates optical illusions of three-dimensional depth. Murals in this style are particularly fun for kids to examine. Examples include “Oroville Gold Mine Mural” at 1267 Montgomery Street in Oroville. On the campus at Chico State University, look for “Academe” on Taylor Hall at East First and Salem.
Take your family on a walk through alleyways beautified with murals from an assortment of muralists displaying differences in subject and style, and let everyone choose a favorite. In Red Bluff, off Antelope near Main, there’s an alley with dozens of murals, one of a giant honeybee. There’s even a swing and a set of wings that make great photo-ops. A stroll along Miner’s Alley at 1346 Myers in downtown Oroville will give your child the opportunity to walk alongside a miner and his pack animal or feel the calm of deer browsing in a mountain meadow.
Young people especially benefit from public art
Viewing and talking about public art has special benefits for children. Inviting children to describe what they see helps them to expand their visual literacy vocabularies. Prompting them to reflect on the artwork encourages them to see from another person’s perspective, growing their empathy. Exploring how the art piece makes the child feel can reduce stress when the message is perceived as positive. And making time to be together as a family on an art walk can strengthen family bonds.
Have you taken notice of the many other murals cropping up in the North State, like the new, stunning Feather River Mosaic Murals (northstateparent.com/article/brushstrokes-studio) along Table Mountain Boulevard in Oroville? Many of these mosaics were crafted by teens. Don’t forget to document your family art walks; murals make great backdrops for memorable photos.
Information on and directions to public murals in the North State:
REDDING
Redding Mural Riders Itinerary
visitredding.com/plan-your-trip/itineraries/mural-rider
CHICO
Exploring Public Art in Butte County
explorebuttecounty.com/activities/exploring-public-art-in-chico
downtownchico.com/public-art-town.htm
OROVILLE
Exploring Public Art in Oroville
explorebuttecounty.com/activities/exploring-public-art-in-oroville
Posted in: Art & Music, Community
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